NASHVILLE, Tenn. —The community is invited to celebrate the fall season at the second in a series of outdoor "Music on the Mountain" events on Sunday, Oct. 19, at 5:30 p.m. at the Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory.
Everyone is encouraged to bring a picnic, blanket and friends and enjoy an evening of music on the lawn in an idyllic wooded setting.
The Blair School of Music’s Brass Quintet and Tuba Ensemble will perform on a double program of stellar works. Highlights include a performance of "Mars" from Gustav Holst’s orchestral suite The Planets in special recognition of the planet Mars’ proximity to Earth, and other traditional "Octubafest" works.
Following the concert the public is invited to tour the observatory and look through the telescope at Mars (weather permitting). Telescope viewing will begin at approximately 8 p.m.
This program showcases a renovation and expansion at Dyer that has created one of Middle Tennessee’s most unique venues for public, private and corporate events. The improvements allow Vanderbilt and the observatory to provide enhanced education and outreach programs as well as future community events like "Music on the Mountain."
"The Dyer Observatory has been a unique place of service in the Nashville community for half a century," said Rick Chappell, director at Dyer. "We are excited about its new expanded mission in science outreach to K-12 students and the general public. The observatory and its mountaintop grounds are a truly magical place."
The observatory is located at 1000 Oman Drive, off Granny White Pike between Old Hickory Boulevard and Otter Creek Road, near Radnor Lake. A map with information and directions is available at www.dyer.vanderbilt.edu/directions.htm. Parking for this
event is available only at nearby Bethel World Outreach Center on the corner of Old Hickory and Granny White Pike. Signs will indicate where free parking and complimentary shuttle service will be available. Shuttle service will begin at 3:30 pm.
The event is free and open to the public. Everyone is encouraged to come early as attendance will be limited, and there will need to be time reserved for parking and riding the shuttle to the mountaintop. For more information or in the event of uncertain weather, call Dyer Observatory at 615-373-4897 or email nancy.dwyer@vanderbilt.edu.
Media Contact: Elizabeth Latt, (615) 322-NEWS elizabeth.latt@vanderbilt.edu